Solved Should I upgrade to 8.1

Should I upgrade to 8.1 or wait awhile since everyone is having all kinds of problems with it, and also can you create system images in Windows 8.1?

Upgrading....to wait or not to wait....that's entirely up to you. I'm running the RTM clean install on my desktop and running the upgrade version, upgraded through MS store, on my Samsung laptop....it upgraded with out a hitch. The laptop is working perfectly.

Yes...you can create system images in windows 8.1....I use Acronis 2014, works perfectly fine with windows 8.1.

bassfisher6522 said:

Upgrading....to wait or not to wait....that's entirely up to you. I'm running the RTM clean install on my desktop and running the upgrade version, upgraded through MS store, on my Samsung laptop....it upgraded with out a hitch. The laptop is working perfectly.

Yes...you can create system images in windows 8.1....I use Acronis 2014, works perfectly fine with windows 8.1.

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Thanks, also upgrading from Windows 8 to 8.1 through the 8.1 store, it doesn't delete any programs/files/settings right?

No, you should not. In Windows 8.1 Microsoft decimated the search function. You can't search in the Windows Store just by start typing, you have to click the search box first, this includes other Metro Apps as well. Also those colorful tile backgrounds are horrific. That's enough of a reason for me.

tst said:

No, you should not. In Windows 8.1 Microsoft decimated the search function. You can't search in the Windows Store just by start typing, you have to click the search box first, this includes other Metro Apps as well. Also those colorful tile backgrounds are horrific. That's enough of a reason for me.

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All MS did was redo the way you would go about doing a search in the app....like any thing else MS has done with respect to windows 8 and 8.1.....you just have to get use to it.

Jcwisgod said:

bassfisher6522 said:

Upgrading....to wait or not to wait....that's entirely up to you. I'm running the RTM clean install on my desktop and running the upgrade version, upgraded through MS store, on my Samsung laptop....it upgraded with out a hitch. The laptop is working perfectly.

Yes...you can create system images in windows 8.1....I use Acronis 2014, works perfectly fine with windows 8.1.

Click to expand...

Thanks, also upgrading from Windows 8 to 8.1 through the 8.1 store, it doesn't delete any programs/files/settings right?

Click to expand...

All your programs/files/data/settings should stay as they are, as mine did. Now, if you use apps, some apps will have to be re-installed but that's no biggy.

bassfisher6522 said:

tst said:

No, you should not. In Windows 8.1 Microsoft decimated the search function. You can't search in the Windows Store just by start typing, you have to click the search box first, this includes other Metro Apps as well. Also those colorful tile backgrounds are horrific. That's enough of a reason for me.

Click to expand...

All MS did was redo the way you would go about doing a search in the app....like any thing else MS has done with respect to windows 8 and 8.1.....you just have to get use to it.

Click to expand...

Fortunately, I don't have to. I still have Windows 8 and Windows 7 as a backup.

it doesn't delete any programs/files/settings right?

Click to expand...

Should keep everything, if all goes well. Anything can happen, after all it looks more like a total OS replacement than an update. Went well with the PC's I've tested on.

Evaluate to take the time to image your existing installation to an external backup location (and if you don't have original W8 installation disks, do create the Recovery Media). As a minimum, backup all your personal\important files.

Mine was and still is a disaster.

I suggest you get a copy of Macrium backup and backup you system if you search the forums you will find a tutorial of where to download it and how to use it,

I searched the forums and found these tutorials


http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/8956-system-image-create-windows-8-a.html


MACRIUM REFLECT - Create Bootable Rescue USB Drive - Windows 7 Help Forums

Clint said:

Mine was and still is a disaster.

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You're not the only one......

Thanks everyone for your opinions/help, I have decided not to update just yet.

Jcwisgod said:

Should I upgrade to 8.1 or wait awhile since everyone is having all kinds of problems with it, and also can you create system images in Windows 8.1?

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You can but you will need 3rd party software free or paid (usually free has some kind of limits)
AFAIK Windows 7 and 8 type backup (including image creating) was removed

Mine is in and running good. Only prob I had was I logged in with my microsoft account and that was a big mistake. Should have used a local account log in. That way no need to use a password every time I log in. So I had to create another account, which I am now in, but local. Everything else is running smoothly, no problems.

tst said:

No, you should not. In Windows 8.1 Microsoft decimated the search function. You can't search in the Windows Store just by start typing, you have to click the search box first, this includes other Metro Apps as well. Also those colorful tile backgrounds are horrific. That's enough of a reason for me.

Click to expand...

Actually, you can just start typing and the search box pops up with what you've typed so far. I usually get three or four letters typed before the box pops up.

As you complete your search words, multiple choices show up. Try typing settings and a bunch of stuff shows up. I wasn't interested in anything other than to make sure I know what I'm talking about.

elbmek said:

Mine is in and running good. Only prob I had was I logged in with my microsoft account and that was a big mistake. Should have used a local account log in. That way no need to use a password every time I log in. So I had to create another account, which I am now in, but local. Everything else is running smoothly, no problems.

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Thank you, elbmek! For some odd reason, I hadn't thought about two accounts, since I am the only user on all my computers.

Now, if you want to have just a local account, Brink (Shawn) has shown us how to get from a Microsoft account to a Local account.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4842-local-account-switch-windows-8-a.html

Not sure why a problem with search. It works fine in 8.1 and I have used it to find a programme link and it took me to it in less than a second!! Its there as soon as I whip the cursor top right and then click on it. Also in win 8.1 there is a smaller search box in file explorer. Fine for me.

edit: maybe the person needs to clean his machine out. Try Advanced System Care - there is a very professional freebie, but I bought the ASC Ultimate a short while ago, its good.

Brink has been a massive help to me over the months, a good lad. But dont tell him, he will get big headed !!!!

I will have the link above if I change my mind but I have a 6 user pc now 2 x me; wife, daughters (2), grandkids for their online kids games. But can access store in 8.1 on local so may have a browse shortly.

One thing I have noticed, programs initially open slowly in the new 8.1 until it learns then they open quickly. Adobe Photoshop took a while, now its 'almost' instant.

Definitely make a backup!

I am not an expert, but did have Windows 8 working well before I decided to "upgrade" to 8.1. Now I have so many problems in so many areas that it' practically unusable. Unless you have problems now, I would really think about it. You can always upgrade later when some of the bugs are worked out. For me, it's been a horrible experience and it's still a mess.

Can you revert easily?